Lahore, April 25, 2024 – Pakistan’s cricket team is set to visit New Zealand for a robust white-ball series shortly after hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
This upcoming tour will feature three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), as confirmed in a recent meeting at the PCB headquarters, Gaddafi Stadium.
The meeting, which laid down the groundwork for the series, saw the participation of Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Scott Weenink, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Zealand Cricket (NZC). This significant development comes as both boards seek to strengthen cricketing ties between the two nations, with collaborative agreements and future tours discussed extensively.
During the discussions, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude towards the New Zealand team for agreeing to tour Pakistan for the series. He emphasized the comprehensive security measures that are being put in place for the visiting team, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all players. “I am personally monitoring the security plan to make sure that our guests from New Zealand feel safe and respected during their stay,” Naqvi remarked.
For his part, CEO NZC Scott Weenink reciprocated the warm sentiments, thanking the PCB for the hospitable reception and acknowledging the fool-proof security arrangements prepared for the New Zealand team’s current tour in Rawalpindi and Lahore. He further confirmed New Zealand’s participation in a tri-nation series in Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, highlighting a period of intense cricket activity involving both nations.
Also present at the meeting were Salman Naseer, COO of PCB, and Usman Wahla, PCB’s Director of International Affairs. Their involvement underscores the significance of the upcoming series and the broader implications for international cricket relations.
The arrangement for Pakistan to tour New Zealand after the ICC Champions Trophy is seen as a vital step in enhancing the competitive exposure of both teams. The series is expected to be a thrilling showcase of talent, strategy, and international sportsmanship, coming right after one of cricket’s biggest events hosted by Pakistan.
The bilateral series not only promises high-octane cricket matches but also holds strategic importance for both cricket boards in terms of sports diplomacy and international cricket scheduling. This initiative is part of a broader effort to normalize international cricket tours to Pakistan, which had seen a significant reduction due to security concerns in past decades.
As cricket fans in both countries eagerly anticipate the clash between these two cricketing powerhouses, the PCB and NZC continue to work closely to ensure that all arrangements, including logistics and player welfare, are meticulously planned.
The upcoming tours and the ICC Champions Trophy are expected to bring a festive atmosphere to cricket stadiums in Pakistan and New Zealand, offering fans a series of matches that promise not only competitive cricket but also a chance to witness the strengthening of international ties through the beloved sport of cricket.
